What You Need to Know
The military authorities in Niger have transported nearly 1,000 tons of uranium to Niamey for potential sale, valued at $240 million. However, legal complications with France and security threats from ISIS hinder the sale. The uranium is currently stored at a military base near the capital, raising concerns about safety and legality.
Africa-Press. A report by a local source indicates that the military authorities in Niger have transported nearly 1,000 tons of uranium from the Arlit mines in the north to the capital, Niamey, since November, in preparation for potential sale in international markets.
The shipment is valued at approximately $240 million but remains unsold due to legal complications with France and significant security threats from ISIS.
The shipment is located at a military base near Niamey Airport, which experienced a surprise armed attack in late January targeting drones, claimed by ISIS, although Niger accused France of being behind the attack.
According to a Western official, the attack was an embarrassing blow to the military authority, which took power in a coup in 2023 and promised to restore stability to the country. “Niamey was supposed to be safe, but that is no longer the case,” he added.
The inability of Niger to sell the shipment stems from legal tensions with France. The company Orano, which managed the uranium mines for decades before the nationalization of its assets in June, stated that Niger’s actions represent an attempt to seize a strategic resource worth hundreds of millions.
Orano has taken the case to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, which issued an order in September prohibiting Niger from “selling, transferring, or facilitating the transfer” of uranium stock, while the company confirmed its readiness to take “all necessary actions” even against third parties.
In contrast, Niger’s Minister of Mines, Colonel Ousmane Abarchi, stated, “Our country is free to manage its resources, and we can sell to whomever we want, engaging with the Russians, Chinese, and Americans,” emphasizing that sales will only be made to parties deemed responsible by Niger.
However, experts have warned of the difficulty in finding a buyer due to legal challenges. Analyst Ulf Lasing stated, “Any buyer will have to face France legally, so Niger needs a rogue state to purchase the shipment,” with analysts suggesting that Russia might be the buyer.
Meanwhile, sources close to the leadership indicate that Niger urgently needs to sell the stock to replenish its depleted state coffers, but they cautioned against the risks of relying on Russia to complete the deal in the black market.
The report clarified that exporting the shipment is fraught with significant risks after the closure of the traditional route through Benin following the 2023 coup, prompting authorities to consider transporting uranium overland through Burkina Faso to the port of Lomé in Togo, through areas experiencing intense activity from armed groups, which may require heavy military protection, likely to be Russian, to ensure the shipment’s safe passage.
Niger has been a significant player in the uranium market, with its mines supplying a substantial portion of the world’s uranium. The country has faced political instability, particularly following the military coup in 2023, which has complicated its international relations and economic activities. Legal disputes with former partners, such as France, have further complicated Niger’s ability to manage its natural resources effectively.
